EPA Approves Iowa's List of Impaired Waters

More than 100 impaired waters were added to the list, bringing the state's total to 474

Environmental Protection Agency officials have approved Iowa’s list of impaired waters, which removes 56 from the previous list and adds 103 waters. Wednesday’s decision brings the total number of impaired waters in the state to 474.

“The impaired waters list helps the Iowa Department of Natural Resources set priorities for restoration activities and reduce sources of water pollution in the state,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks said. “This is a big step toward cleaner water for all Iowa residents.”
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources submitted its impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval as required by the Clean Water Act. The act requires EPA to review the state’s list of impaired waters to determine if the state reasonably considered available water quality-related data, and identifies waters to be listed.

A water body is placed on the impaired waters list when monitoring finds that pollutant levels prevent the lake, river or stream from attaining its beneficial uses. Beneficial uses in Iowa include human recreation, agricultural water supply and maintaining healthy aquatic life.

EPA’s June 29, 2011, decision letter provides a more detailed description of EPA’s review and the basis for this action.

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